Height limits rise to allow new luxury Coast hotel

Stuart Cumming
Reporter
Stuart studied journalism at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba. He worked briefly at Central Queensland News and Warwick Daily News. He has worked as a reporter at The Chronicle since July 2009.

HEIGHT restrictions in a busy Coast precinct are on the rise to accommodate a new five-star hotel.

Sunshine Coast Council has adopted major amendments to the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 to allow taller buildings in the Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland areas.

The changes, which the council agreed to in April, have since been approved by the State Government and came into effect on Monday.

They will allow for the 37.5m height restriction on a block of land opposite the Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club to be extended to 50m above sea level.

The new restrictions will extend the maximum building height at the Club Eatery site to between 44.5m and 47.5m above ground level.

A council spokeswoman said the site, bounded by Mooloolaba Esplanade, River Esplanade and Burnett St, was one of the last remaining beach front lots at Mooloolaba with significant development opportunities.

She said extending the height and ground coverage would be an incentive for delivery of a five-star international hotel.

"It is intended that this would accommodate rooftop facilities, an expansive lobby, architectural elements and streetscape works," the spokeswoman said.

Reader poll

Do you support raising the building height limit for Mooloolaba areas?

This poll ended on 08 August 2017.

Current Results

Yes, it's a built-up area and will boost tourism.

42%

No, Mooloolaba has too many high-rises already.

50%

The council should be building up other areas of the Coast.

6%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Building heights in the planned Mooloolaba Heart street area have also risen, from 15m to 25m.

The area is bounded by Walan St, Muraban St and Smith St.

"It is also proposed to include the land fronting Walan St in a new local plan precinct to provide for business activities such as small food and drink outlets and retail uses," the spokeswoman said.

"This will support the activation of this street frontage."

She said the Place Making Mooloolaba Master Plan identified Muraban and Smith Sts as the heart of Mooloolaba.

She said the intent for the area was to provide high density residential and mixed use tourist accommodation and a community hub with improved pedestrian connectivity.

Height restrictions have also been raised from 15m to 25m along the southern side of First Ave, between Venning and Meta Sts.

"This is more reflective of the predominant built form along the southern side of First Ave and provides an appropriate transition in building height from the Mooloolaba Esp through to the Mooloolaba State School."